Samhain Witch

The Hawthorne University Witch Series #4

by A.L. Hawke

Samhain Witch is a Short Story standalone, Book 3.5, in the Hawthorne University Witch Series.
Samhain Witch precedes Witch Mirror (Book 4).

I absolutely adore Halloween. I love the vibrant fall colors and the fun and revelry. And Samhain (Sa-win) is a major holiday for witches because it represents our new year. It’s the time when the spirit world meets the living.

So I wanted to throw a Halloween party for my students at Hawthorne University. Since the Billington frat house wasn’t available, I planned a party at my place. But as Maddie sat smiling in our circle, planning pumpkin carvings and costume contests, a visitor from my teacher’s past appeared, in tears, beside our bonfire. She said she had been terrorized by a haunted house, and she was looking for the Hawthorne Witch.

And as I discovered more about her haunting, I found that, this time, I was up against more than witches competing for my power or blaspheming with left-sided magic. This was a primal evil. I had met the Samhain Witch.

Cadence Hawthorne returns in this stand-alone short story taking place after The Hawthorne Witch (Book III).

Content Samhain Witch contains profanity, sex, adult situations and, of course, witchcraft.

93 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 8, 2024

About the author

A.L. Hawke is the author of the bestselling Hawthorne University Witch series. The author lives in Southern California torching the midnight candle over lovers against a backdrop of machines, nymphs, magic, spice and mayhem. A.L. Hawke writes fantasy and romance spanning four thousand years, from pre-civilization to contemporary and beyond.

Reviews

[PAMELA ANN READS BOOKS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good

Short but it was free and I learned quite a lot . I already added the other books to my wishlist, I'm excited to read them soon!

[Ally Doby (Schleicher) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Book: 4.75 stars; Audiobook: 5 stars*

This is a short Novella that takes place after Book 3 of this series, told in first person POV by Cadence Hawthorne and can be read in a day. I would recommend reading the series in order to get the full feel of the story and characters before reading this one.

Alexa Elmy blew me away, yet again, with her ability to bring this book to life. She has the amazing ability to not only bring the characters to life and have you feel like you are the character, but she also has the ability to create the setting of scenes. She definitely had me feeling the spooky suspense of the story where I could picture the events like it was right in front of me.

A.L. Hawke has managed to bring on the suspense, spooky horror, fear and mystery with this book. I couldn’t put it down. I even caught myself looking around me when I was alone and thinking I heard something. The characters had me feeling like I was right there with them experiencing everything.

I really enjoy this series and this novella. I catch myself thinking about the whole series when I finish days and weeks later. I’m excited to continue reading/listening and see how these characters develop and what adventures/obstacles they face next.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the beginning of a new school year at Hawthorne University and Bryce has secured a teaching position with Cadence as his TA. Together, as man and wife, they are trying to revive Alondra's history class. It's the night before Halloween and the coven led by High Priestess, Cadence, is reflecting on the lives of those who went before them, when a stranger enters their circle in search of The Hawthorne Witch. She's begging for help, claiming that her house is haunted and that every year Alondra would cast shield spells for protection before Samhain. This is a wonderfully fascinating novella that serves as a bridge to Witch Mirror.
Alexis Almy does a tremendous job with the narration. Her dynamic, emotional voice and solid pace and modulation of the story are perfect from start to finish and the characters feel alive.

[Andra Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Samhain Witch is a novella of the Hawthorne University Witch series. It is best to read the Hawthorne Witch books (at least one or two) to get a feel for the characters before reading this one.

In nine chapters, the author manages to create an air of horror, mystery, and fear, all of which compel you to keep reading. The characters are engaging in that they are not like your typical university students and are genuinely committed to the practice of witchcraft and the lifestyle it encompasses.

The Samhain Witch is an entertaining and spooky read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Geff Ratcheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must be getting old (actually I am). This is a prequel that just came out. I previously read & really enjoyed the rest of the series. My memory is so poor that I didn't remember enough references from what I've already read to tie it together.

Very good writing as usual other than I didn't totally understand several parts. I would suggest reading this immediately after completing the rest of the series, not first even though it is a prequel.

I received a free Advanced Reader's Copy & am leaving this honest review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: This was an additional story to "The Hawthorne University Witch Series", and it was entertaining. Although the story was short, it held all the elements of a spooky and haunting story, just right for the Halloween season. Alexa Elmy's narration was great, and her performance added to the story's entertainment. I was given a free copy of the audiobook through Spotify, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before anything, I would suggest making sure to read the books available in the series before this one. If not, you're going to feel like you are jumping all over the place and have no idea what's going on. That said, this is a great little short story set at Halloween at the college with the focus on The Samhain Witch. So many good things are going on in this book, you definitely need to read it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline in this one bounced around too much for me and at times it was just dry. The FMC talks like she’s in high school but not a married TA. I would expect more maturity from this character as a leader. 3 ⭐️ from me.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Cadence Hawthorne returns in this stand-alone short story, which takes place after The Hawthorne Witch (Book III).'

The characters were well written. Plot was intriguing. World building was solidly drawn. All in all a very good read. Recommend.

Grab a copy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful Short Story from The Hawthorne University Witch Series. Halloween, a time when the spirit world meets the living and when evil appears. It’s a great witchy paranormal read, that’s fast paced and over flowing with twists and turns and has you hooked from start to finish.